Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Archer Farms Amaretto Cherry Gelato Review

2014 Note: Target changed gelato suppliers at the beginning of the year. Instead of "imported from Italy", it now says it's "Italian-style frozen dessert" and it's made in the U.S.

While popping up in other parts of the country last year (apparently), I've finally seen Archer Farms gelato pop up at several Targets in my area. Gelato has come to earn my respect over these past few years, so it seems only fitting to get these guys up on the blog.

This is Archer Farms Amaretto Cherry Gelato - imported from Italy (funny, I've seen that statement before on other store brand gelatos). I always forget what Amaretto means..... "Amaretto is a sweet, almond-flavoured, Italian liqueur" (from Wikipedia). Well, that explains why there is almond paste in this one. It was $4.99 for a small 30 fl oz container, but the look of it (and it's gelato brothers) keeps catching my eye... wait, you don't think it's that catchy?

Now does it catch your eye? I have a fondness for see-through recyclable packaging because in cases like this, it totally sells the product for you. Why blow money on package labeling when your product already looks awesome?

Now I just need to pop the lid open....

I said I just need to pop... stupid...

open up you crazy lid.... grrrr....

Ahhhhhhhhh, there we go! These containers are sealed a little too well, but once you finally get it open, oh man, so fancy schmancy! Plus, I may have a cold, but I smell cherries!! Hehehe, oh I love looking at food.

I took my first bite and the lasso of cherry flavor wrangled my tastebuds and wouldn't let go. This one is potent, and despite not usually digging a potent cherry flavor, it totally works here. Archer Farms brand gelato is made with skim milk which explains why I've got a quick melter here and so i'm scooping up this super soft cherry flavored frozen fiesta and it's totally working for me. The almond amaretto flavor is strong, and I don't usually like that, but its got my attention and I can't help but want more.

What's wrong with me? First I'm putting down all the new stuff of 2012, and now I've fallen for a second fruity flavor? Maybe it's the soft, almost whip cream like nature of this one that I'm enjoying, or maybe it's the complete cherry vibe. Maybe that almond paste kicks in at just the right moment to turn this one from an also ran to a contender. I'm just in shock. I usually prefer a mild cherry/vanilla mixture, but I'm liking this one... time for another serving.

Ok... maybe the second serving was a bit much. This is a potent flavor and I'm going way too fast. I definitely don't recommend getting too much pink stuff on a single spoonful, it comes off way too potent. I'm not really sure what would compliment this flavor, though there is a strong urge to scoop some into a glass of Cherry Coke. Who knows, maybe I was just in the right mood at the right time. Nice job Target, I obviously need to try your other gelato flavors.

On Second Scoop: Just thought I'd come back to this one after a few weeks. The good news is I still like it despite how potent it is. It's definitely a different texture then what I'm use to. It's light, and so isn't as cold or as solid as my usual ice cream fair. Once the freezer clears up, I need to try some more of these flavors.

18 comments:

By the looks of this it reminds me of the "premium" store brands of gelato from price chopper and hannaford. Same container and everything. I wonder if they all use the same private label and just slap on their brand name on them.

I have a feeling they might be similar. Price Chopper just released central market gelato a month or so ago. If this is also new at target, that's quite the coincidence if they're not made by the same private company.

So I just took the plunge and tasted this treat and woohoo is it strong! Borderline sickly sweet to me, and the quick melt did irritate me a bit. I was tempted to break up the flavor by tossing in some chocolate but best to save it for the second scoop. I love cherries and all but I don't think I'll buy this one again :(

Not same, the target gelato has been around for the past year or so. they just start expanding it to more stores recently. i had it in my target for the past year and my cousin (lives in different state) never saw it at her store till now.

I just tried the Archer Farms Dulce De Leche gelato. Although fairly tasty, the texture is not at all like the gelato I had in Italy (in Venice, Tuscany, and Rome). The Archer Farms gelato has a much airier, whipped texture than authentic gelato which is much denser than typical American ice cream. The Archer Farms gelato has a consistency more like that of a frozen mousse than an authentic Italian gelato. The label says that it is imported from Italy, but I suspect there has been some attempt by the Italian manufacturer to make the product more acceptable to the American palate by whipping in more air. For more information on the differences between authentic gelato and American ice cream see for example the information at the following link: http://cookingequipment.about.com/od/icecreammachines/f/gelatovicecream.htm

gelato in Italy can be with artisan production, or industrial production. Not because it comes from Italy it is authomatically artisan or following all the principles of the hand crafted gelato. We have industries in Italy as well. When you purchase gelato at the grocery store in Italy you get an industrial product. what does it mean? it means that it is not as dense as handmade gelato. It means that the amount of air pumped in the product is comparable to the amount of air pumped in ice cream. The word "made in Italy" sounds fancy... I AM ITALIAN and so I am giving you the truth about Imported gelato...